Symptoms of Preterm Labor and Delivery

Symptoms of preterm labor can occur anytime before your 37th week of pregnancy. Preterm labor contractions may or may not feel different from normal labor contractions. In many cases, it is hard to tell the difference between preterm contractions and normal aches or baby movements. Talk with your doctor about the signs of preterm labor.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Preterm labor and birth: Overview. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development website. Available at:
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/preterm/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed April 23, 2013.

Preterm (premature) labor and birth. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at:
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq087.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130423T0923201528. Accessed April 23, 2013.